Meeting Summary
Present: Stix, Weirick, Blatz, Francina, Haney
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At a glance
City Council Redistricting Public Hearing
- Staff and partners presented two draft maps noting population deviation requirements.
- Discussion focused on the division of the Village Mixed Use zone in existing drafts.
- Staff was directed to create a third draft map maintaining VMU community integrity.
- No vote was taken on the draft maps during this session.
Election of Mayor Pro Tem
- Staff outlined the annual nomination and election process.
- Council Member Haney was nominated and seconded for the role.
- The Council passed a motion to elect Council Member Haney as Mayor Pro Tem.
Selection of Council Representatives to Boards
- Staff presented reports on current representatives to local and regional boards.
- Council approved appointments for all boards except the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency.
- Council Member Wyrick was selected as the lead representative for the Groundwater Management Agency.
- Mayor Sticks was designated as the alternate representative for the 2022 term.
City Treasurer Vacancy
- Staff reported the vacancy following the passing of former Treasurer Alan Raines.
- A public notice of intent was recommended to solicit applications for the position.
- Council agreed to publish a public notice to solicit applications.
Ojai City Hall Campus
- Staff recommended funding for deferred maintenance on Little House and Oak Tree House properties.
- Public comment addressed historic barn preservation and utility improvements.
- Council discussed adding stormwater capture and restroom facilities to the plan.
- A motion passed to allocate $25,000 and authorize staff to proceed with design work.
City Council Updated Goals
- Staff presented an updated document outlining six city goals and a yearly work plan.
- Public comment suggested adding a parking study and transparency initiatives.
- Council discussed prioritizing building electrification and reviewing business ordinances.
- The staff recommendation was adopted as amended to include the parking study.
Full summary
Opening Proceedings and Memoriam
- The meeting was called to order with a roll call taken and the Pledge of Allegiance recited. A motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded. Prior to the vote, Council members offered remarks regarding the passing of former City Treasurer Alan Raines. Following the discussion, the motion to approve the agenda was passed.
Consent Calendar
- Staff recommended pulling Item 1G, concerning the written policy for Records Act requests, to allow time for review of public comments. A motion was made to approve the consent calendar except for Item 1G. The motion was seconded and passed. Item 1G was removed for future consideration.
Item 3: Election of Mayor Pro Tem
- Staff provided a brief report on the annual nomination and election process. Council Member Haney was nominated by Council Member Weirich and the nomination was seconded by the Mayor. A roll call vote was conducted and the motion to elect Council Member Haney as Mayor Pro Tem for the coming year passed.
Item 4: Selection of Council Representatives to Boards
- Staff presented a report on current city representatives to local, county, and regional boards. Discussion regarding specific appointments was paused to address Item 2 (Redistricting) due to scheduling requirements. Upon returning to this item, changes were discussed regarding the Clean Power Alliance, Economic Development Collaborative (EDC), and Ojai Valley Green Coalition. A motion was made to approve the representative appointments for all boards excluding the Ojai Basin Groundwater Management Agency (OBGMA). The motion passed.
- Following this, a debate ensued regarding the OBGMA representation. Council Member Wyrick expressed the importance of continuity regarding the Groundwater Sustainability Plan and water rights negotiations. Mayor Sticks stated a preference to serve based on differing philosophies regarding water conservation and reserve management. A motion was made to keep Council Member Wyrick as the lead representative and Mayor Sticks as the alternate for 2022. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 2: City Council Redistricting Public Hearing
- Staff and Redistricting Partners presented two draft maps (Plan A and Plan B) for district boundaries, noting the requirement to maintain population deviations below 10%. Public comment was available, though no members of the public spoke. Council discussion focused on communities of interest, specifically noting that the Village Mixed Use (VMU) zone was divided in both draft maps. Council directed staff to create a third draft map (Plan C) that maintains the integrity of the VMU community of interest. No vote was taken on the draft maps at this meeting.
Item 5: City Treasurer Vacancy
- Staff presented a report regarding the vacancy left by Alan Raines, noting the 60-day requirement to fill the position. Staff recommended an appointment process involving a public notice of intent. Council members discussed potential candidates but agreed to proceed with a public notice to solicit applications. It was determined no formal motion was necessary at this time, and staff were to publish the notice for the January 25th meeting appointment process.
Item 6: Ojai City Hall Campus
- Staff presented a proposal regarding the Little House and Oak Tree House properties, recommending $25,000 for deferred maintenance and authorization to begin design work for future community use. Public comment was received regarding the historic barn and potential utility improvements. Council members discussed additional ideas including stormwater capture, graywater systems, and the inclusion of a rest room. A motion was made to allocate the funding and authorize staff to proceed with the plan and additional evaluations. The motion was seconded and passed.
Item 7: City Council Updated Goals
- Staff presented an updated document outlining six city goals and a work plan for the year. Public comment suggested adding a parking study and public transparency initiatives. Council discussed adding a parking study to the goals, reviewing the anti-formula business ordinance, and prioritizing the electrification of city buildings. A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation as amended. The motion was seconded and passed.
Reports and Adjournment
- Council members and the City Manager provided reports on Caltrans policies, the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, traffic calming analyses, an upcoming Historic Preservation Commission meeting, and a community conversation regarding police services. The meeting was adjourned.